Munster have suffered a blow ahead of their RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final showdown with the Ospreys on Friday evening with the news that two of their key players are sidelined through injury.

Second-row Paul O'Connell injured his knee during their 36-8 win over Ulster on Saturday and the province have now confirmed that he will sit out their match with the Ospreys this weekend. He is sidelined for four to six weeks which also means he is a doubt to face New Zealand on Ireland's three-Test summer tour, as reported on Monday.

Hooker Damien Varley will also miss Friday's clash with an ankle sprain though the club have ruled that he should be fit for the final if they make it past the Ospreys.

But while Varley and O'Connell are out, they are optimistic that Ronan O'Gara will be fit. He has been out since the Heineken Cup quarter-final with Ulster with a leg injury but the province have said that he is expected to train on Wednesday.